Artificial shrub suitable for indoor or outdoor use

ABSTRACT

A vertically extending rod-like truck member carriers near its upper end in concentric fashion a thin snap ring while spaced downwardly from the same the trunk member carriers a second snap ring of larger diameter. The peripheries of the snap rings are notched and limb assemblies consisting of a generally straight main limb and cross limbs extending outwardly therefrom are snapped into fictionally clamped position within aligned notches at spaced locations along the main limb whereby the limb assemblies complete a conically configurated artificial shrub.

July 17, 1973 G. STRONY ARTIFICIAL SHRUB SUITABLE FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOORUSE] Filed May 20, 1971 INVENTORQ GLORIA L. STRONY svuzzatus 15MATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,746,601 ARTIFICIAL SHRUB SUITABLE FORINDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE Gloria L. Strony, Peckville, Pa., assignor toMasterpiece, Inc., Blakely, Pa.

Filed May 20, 1971, Ser. No. 145,360

Int. Cl. A41g 1/00, 33/04; A411? 5/10 US. Cl. 161-24 6 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A vertically extending rod-like trunk member carriesnear its upper end in concentric fashion a thin snap ring while spaceddownwardly from the same the trunk member carries a second snap ring oflarger diameter. The peripheries of the snap rings are notched, and limbassemblies consisting of a generally straight main limb and cross limbsextending outwardly therefrom are snapped into frictionally clampedposition within aligned notches at spaced locations along the main limbwhereby the limb assemblies complete a conically configured artificialshrub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inventionrelates to the manufacture of artificial shrubs and more particularly toan artificial shrub construction suitable for indoor or outdoor use andwhich requires little time to assemble the same.

Description of the prior art Two types of artificial shrugs or trees arepresently in vogue. One type of construction employs a relatively smalldiameter rod normally formed of wood which acts as the verticallyextending tree runk with the rod being provided with a series of radialholes which are diagonally drilled at an angle to the axis to the trunkand extend upwardly to receive the inner end of a multiple limb assemblyformed of twisted wires which capture plastic filaments. These limbassemblies are preferably formed of one central or main limb and crosslimbs have their filaments tapered to twisted wires which hold a greatnumber of filaments at right angles to the axis of the twisted wires inthe manner of a conventional brush. The limbs and filaments are coloredto represent a natural coniferous shrub or tree, preferably green orblue-green, and the outer ends of the main limb and cross limbs havetheir filaments tapered to simulate a natural tree Whose tip needles aremuch shorter than those inwardly thereof. The outer ends of the crosslimbs and the outer end of the main limb are bent upward- 1y while theinner terminal end of the main limb is preferably bent downwardly at aslight angle to insure that once positioned within the radially inclinedholes in the trunk, any imbalance because of the presence of the crosslimbs will not permit rotation of the main limb about its axis due tothe presence of the bent portion between the terminal portion which isinserted within the diagonal hole of the trunk, and the point where thecross limb is coupled to the main limb element and is normally wrappedthereabout.

A second construction involves a similar cylindrical trunk member and aplurality of limb assemblies which consist similarly of a main limbcarrying at spaced longitudinal positions cross limbs which extendoutwardly therefrom and to one side to form a frustoconical sector.However, the upper end of the main limb is hooked, and the cylindricaltrunk member has a plurality of short tubular members positioned nearthe top of the trunk member and in a circumferential array around thetrunk member with the hooked ends of respective limb assemblies beingcar- 3,746,601 Patented July 17, 1973 ried by the individual shorttubes. In this fashion, and in conjunction with a preformed top member,the frustoconical sectors complete an otherwise conical shrub, in mostcases simulating a natural coniferous tree.

The use of the hooked main limb permits the major portion of the mainlimb to extend downwardly and outwardly and in conjunction with sidebranches or cross limbs allows the completion of sector shaped limbassemblies which may be spaced about the circumference of the trunkmember and may complete a shrub or tree with a relatively small numberof limb assemblies. There is a tendency for the hooked limb assembliesto swing within their support means on the vertically extending trunkand, in addition, there exists in some cases noticeable gaps between thesectors as a result of the tendency of the limb assemblies to rotateabout the small tubular members coupled to the central trunk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to animproved artificial shrub which may be assembled in a matter of secondsby the simple expedient of snapping preformed limb assemblies intofrictional clamping position with respect to the trunk member and inwhich no separate top is necessary. The branches are thereby preventedfrom swinging or swaying and do not leave noticeable gaps between thesector shaped limb assemblies. Further, the conical configuration to theshrub may be modified quite readily by simply axially shifting one ofthe limb support members with respect to the other.

Specifically, the artificial shrub comprises a vertically extendingtrunk member, a plurality of limb assemblies including a generallystraight main limb and a plurality of cross limbs extending outwardlytherefrom at spaced longitudinal positions. Means carried by the trunkmember frictionally clamps the vertically oriented limb assemblies tothe trunk member at circumferentially spaced positions. In particular,the trunk member may comprise a thin cylindrical rod and the means forfrictionally clamping the limb assemblies comprises a pair of discs orsnap rings, concentrically carried by said rod at longitudinally spacedpositions. Each of the snap rings has spaced about its periphery,localized frictional clamping means for the limb assemblies, preferablyin the form of circumferentially spaced, semi-circular notches of adiameter on the order of the main limb, so that the main limb is simplysnapped into engagement with circumferentially aligned notches ofrespective discs to complete the assembly. The rod-like trunk may havean axial hole at its upper end and receive a specially formed tree topor one of the main limbs may be extended and incorporate additionalcross limbs to define a top which lies vertically upward, above theupper ring to complete a shrub having the appearance of a naturalconiferous tree. Preferably, each limb assembly is formed of twistedwire and filament brush material captured thereby and flexible tubes maybe concentrically carried by the intertwisted Wires intermediate of thespaced, radially extending cross limbs to effect spacing and to simulatethe bark of the shrub. One or both of the snap rings may be axiallyshifted to change the conical configuration of the tree therebyproviding one which is tall and thin or one which may be fatter and thusachieve the desired degree of bushiness for the overall tree or shrub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially schematic,exploded lview of a shrub as partially assembled, illustrating themethod of frictionally coupling coupling the individual limb assembly tothe vertically extending tree trunk via longitudinally spaced snaprings.

FIG. 2 is a setcional view of one of the snap rings forming a part ofthe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, elevational view of a top position of asecond embodiment of the invention as partially assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS :Referring to the drawings, theartificial shrub of the present invention takes the form of anartificial coniferous tree. In this respect the artificial shrubconsists of a stand 10, a rod-like trunk member 12 extending upwardlytherefrom which may take the form either of a hollow metal tube of adiameter between /2 inch and several inches and a length of, forinstance, on the order of two feet or more or may be appropriatelyformed of wood or plastic. The structure is quite simple and consists inaddition to the rod-like trunk member 12, of a plurality oflongitudinally spaced, circumferential coaxially positioned discs orsnap rings, preferably two as indicated at 14 and 16 respectively.Reference to FIG. 2 shows a disc or snap ring 14 being formed of plasticor metal and is press fitted to the trunk 12, as for instance by havingits inner peripheral surface 18 serrated so as to frictionally grip thesurface of the wood, plastic or steel trunk member 12. If necessary,additional means may be employed for securely fastening or fixing thesnap rings 14 and 16 to the trunk member 12 at axially or longitudinallyspaced positions. The outer periphery 20 of each snap ring is providedwith circumferentially spaced notches or grooves 22 which aresemi-circular in cross sectional configuration and define opposedrounded edges 24 which are spaced slightly smaller than the diameter ofthe notch or groove 22 itself. The spaced snap rings 14 and 16 aremounted on the trunk member 12 such that the notches 22 of the uppersnap ring 14 are in circumferential alignment with the notches 22 of thelower ring 16.

The major component of the assembly consists of a plurality of limbassemblies 26 consisting of a main limb 28 and a plurality of crosslimbs or side branches 30 The main limb may be formed of intertwistedstiffiy flexible wire rods 32 and the cross limbs 30 may be formed ofintertwisted wires 34 and captured plastic filaments 36, which materialconstitutes brush stock which have been employed in the past ten yearsor so in the manufacture of artificial Christmas trees.

Since the lower disc or snap ring 116 has a diameter in excess of thatof the upper snap ring 14, the main limb 28 formed by the intertwistedwire rods 32, although being relatively straight, is maintained at anangle at each circumferentially spaced location by having the limbsnapped into the frictional gripping notches 22 of both rings asillustrated in FIG. 1. In that respect, in assembling the limb assembly26, a plurality of short sections or flexible tubes 38 are providedintermediate of the longitudinally spaced cross limbs 30 to maintain thecross limbs at preferred longitudinal positions during the assembly ormanufacture of the limb assemblies, in which case the diameter of theflexible tubes 38 is generally on the order of the notches 22 and sincethe tubes are deformable, they may readily deform momentarily when theyare snapped into the notches 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the top of the trunk member 12 is drilledaxially as indicated at 40' and receives a tree top 42 which in itselfconstitutes a number of limbs formed of twisted wire and capturedfilaments in like manner to the cross limbs '30 of limb assemblies 26.In this case, the central or main limb of the top 42 is inserteddirectly within the axial hole 40 to complete the assembly.

In alternate fashion, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the top 42' consists ofa plurality of branches formed directly on one of the limb assemblies26, the cross limbs being somewhat longer at the top than those adjacentthereto, so as to readily form in integral fashion with one of the limbassemblies 26, a top. This eliminates the necessity for a pre-drilledhole 40 within the trunk member 12 and a separate top 42.

From the above, it is readily apparent that the artificial tree or shrubof the present invention can be snapped together in a matter of secondsand in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, a separate top isunnecessary. Since the branches cannot swing or sway, no gaps can beseen between the various circumferentially spaced limb assemblies. Thecross limbs 30 may be spread to the right and left and therefore definesector shaped limb assem blies, which when circumferentially spacedcompletely about the circumference of the snap rings 14 and 16 to fillall of the available aligned slots or recesses 22, effect a complete andbushy conical shrub or tree. While in the illustrated embodiment, onlyfour circumferentially spaced notches or grooves 22 are shown, it isobvious that for a bushier tree, additional grooves may be provided, thegrooves being equally spaced about the circumference of the snap rings14 and 16. [In addition, by shifting the lower disc or snap ring 16downwardly away from disc 14, the limb assemblies will be moved inwardlyat the bottom to create a tree or shrub having a smaller diameter asindicated in dotted lines while the converse is true if the snap ring 16is moved upwardly. If necessary, holes can be drilled in the trunks andpins inserted beneath the discs to maintain them in proper position.While the main limb 28 of the limb assemblies is defined in terms ofintertwisted rods 32 carrying at longitudinally spaced locations,flexible tube sections 38 to space the cross limbs 30, the main limb mayin itself constitute a solid rod to which the cross limbs are afiixed insome other manner and in which case the tubular spacers 38 areeliminated. In such case, the diameter of the solid rod defining thealternate form of the main limb 28 would be on the order of thesemi-circular notches or grooves 22 within the snap rings 14 and 16 andthe limb assemblies would snap into place in the identical manner.Forming the rings of plastic facilitates the snap assembly of the shrub.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in the form of detail maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An artificial shrub comprising:

a vertically extending trunk member,

a plurality of limb assemblies including a generally straight main limband cross limbs extending outwardly therefrom at spaced longitudinalpositions, and

at least two axially spaced limb assembly support members carried bysaid trunk member for supporting the main limb of said assemblies atlongitudinally spaced positions to form a circular array surroundingsaid trunk member and at least one of said support members including acircular periphery carrying at spaced circumferential positions notchesof a size corresponding to the diameter of said main limb of each limbassembly with said main limb of each assembly snapped into a respectivenotch to effect frictional clamping of said main limb to said at leastone support member.

2. The artificial shrub as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supportmembers comprise upper and lower snap rings coaxially carried by saidrod at longitudinally spaced positions, both said snap rings carrynotches on the periphery of said rings at spaced circumferentiallyaligned positions, said notches are semi-circular in form and of adiameter on the order of that of the main limb whereby said main limbsare simply snapped into circumferentially aligned notches of both ringsto effect frictional clamping of said main limbs to said snap rings.

3. The artificial shrub as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lower snapring is of a larger diameter than that of the upper snap ring and saidlimb assemblies incline outwardly and downwardly to define a shrub ofconical configuration.

4. The artificial shrub as claimed in claim 2, wherein said limbassemblies comprise: a main limb formed of a plurality of stifilyflexible intertwisted wire rods, a plurality of radially extending crosslimbs extending outwardly thereof and captured between said twisted wirerods at longitudinally spaced positions and flexible tubesconcentrically carried by said intertwisted wire rods intermediate ofsaid spaced, radially extending limb assemblies to simulate the bark ofthe shrub, said tubes being of a diameter on the order of that of saidcircumferentially aligned notches and received thereby to frictionallysupport said limb assemblies on said axially spaced snap rings.

5. The artificial shrub as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper end ofsaid trunk includes an axial hole extending inwardly therefrom, and saidshrub is completed by a tree top consisting of a plurality of limbsformed of stifily flexible intertwisted wires and captured filamentbrush material with the terminal end of one limb thereof positionedwithin said axial hole.

6. The artificial shrub as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said limbassemblies includes a plurality of cross limbs at the upper end thereofextending beyond the upper ends of the remaining cross limb assembliesand defining in conjunction with said limb assemblies, a tree top.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,577,873 3/1926 Root 16124 X3,115,435 12/ 1963 Abrarnson 16124 2,826,845 3/1958 Warren 161241,555,621 9/1925 Barker 161-24 3,263,355 8/1966 March 211177 X PHILIPDIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

